Protest Against Sale of Victoria Barracks

[Black Orchid]

The Greens leader was booed and told to “shut up” as a crowd of thousands gathered to save a 184-year-old army barracks in Sydney.

More than 2000 people turned out in Sydney on Sunday to urge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to stop the proposed sale of Victoria Barracks, in the biggest public show of support yet for the historic military site.

While no final redevelopment plan has been approved, the 15-hectare site is slated to transition from a restricted military base into a public-facing mixed-use civic, cultural, and residential precinct.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/culture ... 49a651f2b6

Even David Shoebridge was there (surprise surprise) but he was loudly booed by sections of the crowd and told to “shut up” and “get off” as he called on the crowd to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land they had gathered on.

Unfortunately the loud boos in response to his acknowledgement of the traditional owners drowned out everything else when he shifted to why the barracks should be saved.

The vast majority of Aussies are well and truly over this acknowledgement BS. I know I am.

[tllwd]

00:00 — Opening highlights

The video begins with Tony Abbott thanking the crowd after the event, his assistant has a sticker on his shirt that reads 'I Don't Need To Be Welcomed To My Own Country". Then it moves to Greens Leader David Shoebridge and Labor MP Marjorie O’Neill doing an Acknowledgement of Country and being Booed extensively by the crowd.

Tony Abbott goes on to say "What a wonderful thing to be here with so many of our fellow Australians who respect our history and our heritage. And isn't it wonderful to be at this protest where the only flag on display is the Australian flag and not the Palestinian one!"

01:54 — Sydney Protest arrives at Kippax Lake

Attendees, media and police gather near Victoria Barracks beneath Save Victoria Barracks and Stop the Sell Off signs.

09:57 — Michael McLaren — 2GB presenter and MC

McLaren opens the platform, describing the campaign as a cross-party call to stop the sale.

13:47 — Dr Marjorie O’Neill MP and Senator Jess Collins — rally organisers

The Labor Member for Coogee and Liberal Senator for NSW welcome attendees and call for Victoria Barracks to remain publicly owned.

16:23 — John Howard — former Prime Minister

Howard argues that military heritage and history should not be surrendered through a property sale.

22:46 — Lieutenant General Ken Gillespie — former Chief of Army

Gillespie describes the Barracks as an active Defence site, questions the sale process and calls for it to be stopped.

29:51 — David Harris MP — NSW Minister for Veterans

Harris acknowledges veteran and parliamentary support for the campaign and the site’s significance to veterans.

33:14 — David Jones — Business Sydney

Jones supports retaining the Barracks, citing its place in Sydney’s security, heritage and civic life.

36:21 — Angus Taylor — Federal Opposition Leader

Taylor opposes the proposed sale and encourages supporters to continue petitioning and campaigning.

40:54 — Peter Tinley AM — RSL Australia President

Tinley speaks about the Barracks’ meaning for serving personnel, veterans and military families.

43:44 — Allegra Spender MP — Member for Wentworth

Spender describes the local community’s connection to the Barracks and calls for its public and heritage value to be protected.

46:40 — Tony Abbott — former Prime Minister

Abbott supports the campaign to retain Victoria Barracks and its military history.

48:54 — Kellie Sloane MP — NSW Leader of the Opposition

Sloane argues that the Barracks should not be treated merely as a property asset and backs continued opposition to the sale.

50:19 — Simon Poidevin — former Wallaby

Poidevin refers to the site’s military history and urges the public to speak up for serving personnel who cannot comment publicly.

53:15 — Dr Marjorie O’Neill MP — Member for Coogee

O’Neill returns to the platform, calling on the crowd to keep building public support for the campaign.

55:31 — Senator Jess Collins — Liberal Senator for NSW

Collins thanks attendees and fellow organisers, urging continued contact with representatives and support for the petition.

59:54 — David Shoebridge — Leader of the Australian Greens and Senator for NSW

Shoebridge opposes the wider Defence-estate divestment program and calls for public land to remain in public hands.

1:05:06 — Warwick Negus — Chancellor, University of New South Wales

Negus speaks about heritage, green space and the Barracks’ connection to the neighbouring community.

1:10:42 — Alex Greenwich MP — Member for Sydney

Greenwich welcomes the broad coalition supporting the campaign and acknowledges Councillor Harriet Price in the audience.

1:12:40 — Colonel Derek Leslie — NSW RSL representative

Leslie reports RSL opposition to the sale and argues that prominent Defence sites help sustain military identity and recruitment.

1:16:52 — Councillor Sarah Dickson — Mayor of Woollahra

Dickson states Woollahra Council’s opposition and describes the Barracks as foundational to Paddington’s history and character.

1:18:56 — Esther Hayter — President, Paddington Society

Hayter outlines heritage and adaptive-reuse options, calling for the divestment to be stopped.

1:22:33 — Senator Jess Collins — closing remarks

Collins thanks speakers, volunteers, police and attendees, and asks supporters to continue the campaign.

1:24:17 — Closing footage

Attendees disperse and media continue filming around Kippax Lake.

[Bobby]

We have uncontrolled mass immigration of millions of people -

they will need somewhere to live -

we'll have to sacrifice our heritage sites to do that.

[Black Orchid]

Well Albo has finally cried 'uncle' and has said that he will take his grubby little mitts off Victoria Baracks.

Now all we need is for Minns to take his bloody hands off our Brumbies and native animals.